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Our Patron
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Memorial: 8 August He was born of wealthy Spanish nobility, the
son of Blessed Joan of Aza and Felix Guzman. When she was pregnant
with him, his mother had a vision that her unborn child was a dog who
would set the world on fire with the Word of God symbolized by a torch
it carried in its mouth. A dog with a torch in its mouth became a
symbol for the order which he founded, the Dominicans. At
Dominic's baptism, Blessed Joan saw a star shining from his chest, which
became another of his symbols in art, and led to his patronage of
astronomy.
- Student of Philosophy and Theology at the University of
Palencia.
- Catholic Priest
- Canon of the Cathedral of Osma
- Member of the Augustinian Order
- Clerical reformist
- Lifelong apostolate among heretics, especially Albigensians, and
especially in France
- Friend and contemporary of Blessed Peter of Castelnau
- Founder of the Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans) in 1215, a
group who lives a simple, austere life, and an order of nuns
dedicated to the care of young girls.
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At one point Dominic became discouraged at the progress of his mission.
No matter how much he worked, heresies remained. but he received a
vision from Our Lady who showed him a wreath of roses, representing the
rosary. She told him to say the rosary daily, teach it to all who
would listen, and eventually the true Faith would win out. Dominic
is often credited with the invention of the rosary. It actually
pre-dates him, but he certainly spread devotion to it, and he used it to
strengthen his own spiritual life. Legend says that Dominic received a
vision of a beggar who, like Dominic, would do great things for the
Faith. Dominic met the beggar the next day. He embraced him
and said, "You are my companion and must walk with me. If we hold
together, no earthly power can withstand us." The beggar was Saint
Francis of Assisi.
Born: 1170 at Calaruega, Burgos, Old Castle
Died: 6 August 1221 at Bologna
Canonized: 13 July 1234 by Pope Gregory IX
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St. Dominic de Guzman
